Zathura a space adventure7/16/2023 The film isn't perfect, but for the most part, it's a worthwhile affair that is sure to appeal to genre fans. The film has good effects, and plenty of thrills to really make it a highly entertaining picture from start to finish. If you forget the similarities between the films, this is a fun, entertaining picture that is worth seeing because there are several worthwhile moments due to a well crafted script, good cast and good direction from director Jon Favreau. However, this film has more of a science fiction edge to the story that makes it a bit different. Zathura has been easily compared to the 1995 fantasy comedy, Jumanji, and it's no secret why. "Zathura" has so many funny lines that even adults will enjoy, like, "Get me a juice box, bitch!" "Grandma!" when the urn falls, and "The card!" when they try to convince Lisa of the game's magic.Īnd who knew that before Dax Shepherd became the butt-of-the-joke lucky enough to lock down hottie Kristen Bell, he was a rather swashbuckling astronaut himself?! I didn't even realize it was an actual sequel adapted from the book by Chris Van Allsburg because I was never a fan of the first with Kirsten Dunst and Robin Williams. Young Josh Hutcherson and Jonah Bobo (of "Crazy, Stupid Love") are ridiculously adorable as quarrelsome brothers in this "Jumanji" sequel. Kristen Stewart's best performance! Hahaha I mean it's not her most challenging role, but her adult self is too inhibited to do "mainstream" emotions of surprise, fear, annoyance, and this haughty big sister role actually requires her to stretch her gloomy face (which I still love), and she was young enough to not overthink it. The opening titles and set decoration, particularly with the game itself, the box and artwork should have either garnered oscar attention or a special oscar for the effects and artwork. Just a great action-adventure movie with some fun creatures/characters and good direction by Jon Favreau. Although this is technically a remake of Jumanji with a modified story, different characters and creatures, the story is fresher, the effects much better and should age well (this review is being written in 2015, 10 years after release of Zathura, and the effects remain an astounding achievement and do not appear dated). Ironically (I think?) it was this movie and at about the same time, RV with Robin Williams that put Josh Hutcherson on the map and led to the Hunger Games and his fame. Dax Sheppard is pretty funny but nicely restrained as the hero astronaut. (Yes, they look just like REAL Zorgons, not CGI'd Zorgons.) Casting is good and the boys are fun and have a genuine brotherly relationship. The space backdrop is flawless, and the scenes with the defective robot and Zorgons are terrific and very realistic. Although Jumanji is fun, it's too obvious that we are watching early CGI, especially the monkeys and the lion and, well, the animals. The special effects are fantastic, especially for 2005, and a huge improvement over 1995's Jumanji. A great deal of care and affection went into the making of this movie, and the attention to detail paid off. The story is good, two young brothers, bored and frustrated with a time-share situation between divorced parents, find an old board game with characteristics of 1940s-50's pressed tin toys and games. Did you enjoy Jumanji? Well, this story is a bit simpler, and doesn't feature Robin Williams, but in many ways is the better movie.
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